Written questions by Morello.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support grassroots women’s rugby.

We hosted a record breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup, it was a pleasure to attend 4 matches across the country and I congratulate the Red Roses on their well deserved victory. I would like to thank everyone involved in the organisation of the Rugby World Cup including the Chair of the Tournament Gill Whitaker and RFU President Deborah Griffin. Major events play an important role in inspiring people to get active.Since last summer we’ve provided £6.7m into the tournament's legacy programme Impact 25 which is reaching 850 clubs and supporting women and girls to get involved in rugby. This included Pontefract RUFC who I recently visited alongside the Foreign Secretary to see the work they are doing to get more women and girls playing Rugby.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of developing unmanned surface vehicle technologies.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommends that an immediate priority should be a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the UK's conventional forces. The Royal Navy (RN) is already transitioning to uncrewed autonomous surface systems, particularly in the area of mine countermeasures, and the SDR announced the Atlantic Bastion transformation programme which should see the introduction of uncrewed surface vessels to support a wide variety of RN tasks. The RN continues to conduct research, trials, and capability development activity to assess potential operational utility and integration pathways for autonomous and remotely operated systems.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the discontinuation of funding of support services for the preparation of neighbourhood plans does not reduce community input into planning decisions.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 66166 on 21 July 2025.

Whether he plans to take steps with his international partners to provide unmanned surface vehicles to Ukraine.

The UK and its international partners remain committed to equipping Ukraine with the capabilities it needs to defend its sovereign territory, in line with its priority requirements. This includes the provision of unmanned surface vehicles. We continue to work closely with the Government of Ukraine to ensure that the support we provide aligns with the evolving tactical demands of the conflict, including through the UK-Germany joint leadership of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent mortgage providers from excluding Section 157 properties by default.

HM Treasury is regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their mortgage business to understand their position and current lending conditions. However, the pricing of mortgages, including the availability of mortgage finance for particular properties, is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene.I would encourage any prospective homeowner to shop around and speak to a mortgage broker in order to find the best possible mortgage product for their circumstances.

Whether Dorchester South station will be prioritised for funding under the Access for All programme following the feasibility study.

We are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Since 2006 the Access for All programme has installed accessible, step free routes at over 270 stations plus a range of smaller scale access improvements at around 1500 stations. In May 2024, the previous government agreed the publication of a list of 50 additional stations selected for initial feasibility work, which included Dorchester South railway station.Network Rail have now completed all 50 feasibility studies and we will shortly be announcing which of those stations will progress. I am pleased that Dorset Council have already pledged some funding for the project but would welcome any further contributions that could be found.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of step-free access for (a) disabled passengers, (b) older residents and (c) families with children at Dorchester South Station.

We are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Since 2006 the Access for All programme has installed accessible, step free routes at over 270 stations plus a range of smaller scale access improvements at around 1500 stations. In May 2024, the previous government agreed the publication of a list of 50 additional stations selected for initial feasibility work, which included Dorchester South railway station.Network Rail have now completed all 50 feasibility studies and we will shortly be announcing which of those stations will progress. I am pleased that Dorset Council have already pledged some funding for the project but would welcome any further contributions that could be found.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that South Western Railway rail replacement bus services are fully wheelchair accessible.

Regulatory requirements apply to South Western Railway (SWR) to ensure rail replacement buses meet the necessary standards on accessibility. SWR works with its rail replacement providers to ensure services are accessible as far as possible, but if accessible options are not available, SWR will arrange alternative accessible transport.

What discussions her Department has had with (a) Dorset Council and (b) local stakeholders on funding contributions towards accessibility improvements at Dorchester South Station.

We are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Since 2006 the Access for All programme has installed accessible, step free routes at over 270 stations plus a range of smaller scale access improvements at around 1500 stations. In May 2024, the previous government agreed the publication of a list of 50 additional stations selected for initial feasibility work, which included Dorchester South railway station.Network Rail have now completed all 50 feasibility studies and we will shortly be announcing which of those stations will progress. I am pleased that Dorset Council have already pledged some funding for the project but would welcome any further contributions that could be found.

Whether his Department is taking steps to integrate unmanned surface vehicles into Royal Navy operations.

Yes, the Royal Navy (RN) is transitioning to uncrewed autonomous systems for mine counter measures and has already introduced the first tranche of capabilities into service. For a number of years, the RN has also operated autonomous wave gliders to enhance the RN’s ability to collect oceanographic data. The Strategic Defence Review announced the Atlantic Bastion transformation programme, which should see the introduction of uncrewed surface vessels to support a wide variety of tasks for the Royal Navy.

If she will hold discussions with mortgage providers on the potential impact of excluding Section 157 properties by default on rural housing markets.

HM Treasury is regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their mortgage business to understand their position and current lending conditions. However, the pricing of mortgages, including the availability of mortgage finance for particular properties, is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene.I would encourage any prospective homeowner to shop around and speak to a mortgage broker in order to find the best possible mortgage product for their circumstances.

When her Department plans to announce the outcome of the feasibility study into step-free access at Dorchester South station.

We are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Since 2006 the Access for All programme has installed accessible, step free routes at over 270 stations plus a range of smaller scale access improvements at around 1500 stations. In May 2024, the previous government agreed the publication of a list of 50 additional stations selected for initial feasibility work, which included Dorchester South railway station.Network Rail have now completed all 50 feasibility studies and we will shortly be announcing which of those stations will progress. I am pleased that Dorset Council have already pledged some funding for the project but would welcome any further contributions that could be found.

How much funding his Department has allocated for research and development on unmanned surface vehicle technologies in the last five years.

It will take time to collate the information needed to respond to the hon. Member’s Question. I will write to him and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

If she will make it her policy to require train operating companies to guarantee that rail replacement services will be accessible for disabled passengers.

Rail replacement services operated by train operating companies must meet the needs of disabled passengers. This includes using vehicles compliant with the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (PSVAR). The train operators can only use non-PSVAR compliant vehicles when no compliant vehicle is available under the current exemption which will expire in July 2026. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) collects data on the levels of compliance with the PSVAR from the train operators. The ORR’s Annual Consumer Report for 2024/2025 showed that 96 per cent of rail replacement vehicles met required standards.

Whether she has had discussions with mortgage providers on their policies in relation to excluding Section 157 properties by default.

HM Treasury is regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their mortgage business to understand their position and current lending conditions. However, the pricing of mortgages, including the availability of mortgage finance for particular properties, is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene.I would encourage any prospective homeowner to shop around and speak to a mortgage broker in order to find the best possible mortgage product for their circumstances.

Whether his Department plans to provide support to the Global Surgery Network for projects in (a) Nigeria, (b) India, (c) Mexico and (d) other countries.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery was originally awarded over £6.9 million in 2017 with further funding of £7 million awarded in 2021 to establish a Global Surgery Network. The latest funding contract ends in June 2026. We encourage members to look out for and apply for future NIHR funding opportunities to build upon their strong foundations and continue to drive an evidence-informed approach to surgery. Applications to NIHR funding schemes are subject to peer review and judged in open competition. The Department and NIHR continue to recognise the critical importance of global health research to drive the health and well-being of the poorest and most vulnerable.

Whether his Department plans to provide funding to the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery after June 2026.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery was originally awarded over £6.9 million 2017 with further funding of £7 million awarded in 2021 to establish a Global Surgery Network. The latest funding contract ends in June 2026. We encourage members to look out for and apply for future NIHR funding opportunities to build upon their strong foundations and continue to drive an evidence-informed approach to surgery. Applications to NIHR funding schemes are subject to peer review and judged in open competition. The Department and NIHR continue to recognise the critical importance of global health research to drive the health and well-being of the poorest and most vulnerable.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of delays in processing pensions on claimants.

There are no reported delays of pension processing caused by the ongoing industrial action in MyCSP.

Whether his Department plans to introduce compensation for pension claimants financially impacted by delays in pension processing caused by industrial action among MyCSP staff.

There are no plans to introduce compensation for members and there are no reported delays of pensions being processed caused by the ongoing industrial action in MyCSP.

What steps his Department is taking to tackle delays in pension processing as a result of industrial action among MyCSP staff.

As MyCSP is a private company, the Cabinet Office cannot be directly involved in tackling any delays in the processing of pensions caused by industrial action. However, we are encouraging both MyCSP and the PCS Trade Union to engage in dialogue to resolve this dispute as soon as possible. We continue to monitor the situation closely. There have been no reports of pension delays arising from the ongoing industrial action in MyCSP